Bonnet orchid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bonnet orchid |
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The Bonnet Orchid, also known as the Tartan Tongue Orchid, is a unique type of orchid found only in southeastern Australia. It's a small, common plant with dark green leaves. Its flowers are greenish and have a big, bonnet-shaped part called a labellum. This labellum is usually a light purple color (lilac) and has cool purple lines, like a network, all over it.
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What Does the Bonnet Orchid Look Like?
The Bonnet Orchid, scientifically known as Cryptostylis erecta, is a plant that grows from the ground. It's a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It's also a deciduous herb, which means its leaves fall off at certain times of the year.
Leaves and Flowers
This orchid usually has one to several leaves. These leaves are shaped like an egg or a spear and are about 6 to 13 centimeters (2.4 to 5.1 inches) long and 1.3 to 3 centimeters (0.5 to 1.2 inches) wide. They grow on a stalk called a petiole, which can be 1 to 10 centimeters (0.4 to 3.9 inches) long. The top of the leaves is dark green, and the underside is purple.
The Bonnet Orchid produces between two and twelve flowers on a tall stem, or spike, which can reach 30 to 80 centimeters (12 to 31 inches) high. Each flower is about 2.5 to 3 centimeters (1.0 to 1.2 inches) long and 1 to 1.5 centimeters (0.4 to 0.6 inches) wide.
The Special Labellum
The most noticeable part of the flower is its labellum. This part is shaped like a hood or a bonnet, measuring about 2 to 3 centimeters (0.8 to 1.2 inches) long and 1 to 1.5 centimeters (0.4 to 0.6 inches) wide. It's usually greenish to lilac (light purple) and has a cool network of purple or maroon veins, along with a few purple spots. The base of the labellum is narrow and wraps around the column, which is a central part of the orchid flower.
The other parts of the flower, called sepals, are green and spread out. They are about 1.8 to 2.5 centimeters (0.7 to 1.0 inches) long. The petals are smaller, about 1 to 1.5 centimeters (0.4 to 0.6 inches) long, and also spread apart. You can usually see these beautiful orchids flowering from September to April.
Where Does the Bonnet Orchid Grow?
The Bonnet Orchid naturally grows in sandy soils, especially in dry eucalyptus woodlands and heathlands. You can find it from the Kroombit Tops National Park in Queensland, south through New South Wales, and all the way to eastern Gippsland in Victoria. It mostly grows near the coast, but it can also be found in the Upper Blue Mountains.
How Does the Bonnet Orchid Get Pollinated?
Like other Australian orchids in its group, the Bonnet Orchid has a very interesting way of getting pollinated. It's pollinated by a type of ichneumon wasp called the orchid dupe wasp (Lissopimpla excelsa).
Male wasps are tricked by the orchid's flower! The flower parts look and even smell like female wasps. So, the male wasps try to mate with the flower, and in doing so, they pick up pollen and carry it to other orchids, helping the plants reproduce. This is a clever way for the orchid to ensure its survival!
Can You Grow Bonnet Orchids at Home?
Orchid fans have managed to grow Cryptostylis erecta, but it can be a bit slow to grow. The underground stems, called rhizomes, are very delicate and don't like to be moved around. They also need to stay moist all the time to grow well.
